[blue72]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Thank you Cyndy.. I believe death was a relief for Gary too--and that he is free and flying around with Papa today.

Ditto

[queasy27]

Upon reading the last sentence, a thought immediately came into mind and here is a suggestion based on that thought. If someone was willing to plan and organize it, a memorial bench could be purchased if enough of us were willing to chip in with a reasonable donation to cover the $675 cost. Individuals could also purchase a Veterans Memorial Brick if they wanted to for $55. Here is a link to the VCDD page that gives more detail about both programs: Village Community Development Districts.

I think the bench is a terrific idea, Skyguy! We'd only need 27 people to chip in $25 each and boom!

Kitty, I'd be happy to help you research this or host the fund-raising using my PayPal account.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by queasy27

I think the bench is a terrific idea, Skyguy! We'd only need 27 people to chip in $25 each and boom!

Kitty, I'd be happy to help you research this or host the fund-raising using my PayPal account.

Queasy, yes please do...

[kittygilchrist]

update on arrangements for Gary. He will be laid to rest in Chicago. Family are coming next week to deal with affairs.
Villagers are asking for a memorial. It looks like we'll be able to attend the Beatlemaniacs next music session on July 5, Friday at 10 a.m. in his honor. Gary would love that. More info on when it develops and it will be posted in a new thread.
A memorial bench has been suggested--I'd like to sit there and remember him if we can make it happen.
His cat, Rada, was traumatized, but recovered quickly and I'm delighted to say she is a dear one and a beauty. Needs a forever home...
Kitty

[Rbgold]

Gary touched more lives in more ways than he ever dreamed. While I never had the honor of meeting him, I closely followed his posts on TOTV about his journey from Chicago to TV. I would laugh out loud, nod in agreement or shake my head at many of his witty, insightful & soul-searching posts.
He was lucky to have realized his dream to be in TV and develop such warm friendships while he was here. Kitty, my heartfelt condolences to you, his son, his family and Rada.
I will watch the site for info on a memorial bench for GeeWiz. It will be an honor to contribute to thank him for making many of my days so much brighter!

Rona

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Rbgold

Gary touched more lives in more ways than he ever dreamed. While I never had the honor of meeting him, I closely followed his posts on TOTV about his journey from Chicago to TV. I would laugh out loud, nod in agreement or shake my head at many of his witty, insightful & soul-searching posts.
He was lucky to have realized his dream to be in TV and develop such warm friendships while he was here. Kitty, my heartfelt condolences to you, his son, his family and Rada.
I will watch the site for info on a memorial bench for GeeWiz. It will be an honor to contribute to thank him for making many of my days so much brighter!

Rona

Rona, you say it so well...I miss him.
Kitty

[CFrance]

Count me in for the bench. We won't be back to TV in time for the Beatlemaniacs, but I sure wish we were. We'll only miss it by two days.

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I did a search for all of Gary's posts, because they were so interesting. One of my favorites was on 6/20, in response to the thread asking who your oldest relative was. It must have been just days before his death. I hope he did not die alone.

Gary's response to the thread was a lovely biography of his "Papa," his step-grandfather. Here it is again for your enjoyment, and as a way to honor Gary. He was quite the raconteur...

"My Papa -- the man who raised me and was technically my step-grandfather lived until he was 101. He died in 2010 - just after my divorce (a bad year - my music partner died from ALS that year, also).

Papa lived many lives. He was of Russian Jewish stock. He was kicked out of his home at 16 for shacking up with a 22 year old divorcee. He went to live with his uncle who was in the fish business. His uncle sent him to Sitka Alaska to work on a fishing boat. Papa came back and sold herring to Jewish businesses throughout Chicago.

During the war he was sent back to the Alaska where he was wounded by a Japanesse bomber.

After the war, he opened his own smokehouse and store. His best friend was Lenny Patrick - a Jewish member of the Outfit and a well known hit man (Jack Ruby worked for him).

He rescued me from my divorced parents (who kept kidnapping me back and forth) by saying he'd have Lenny kill them both if they continued to mess with me. Papa took me in and raised me as his son.

By the late 80's Papa sold his business. We toured Europe together. I remember us renting bicycles at Versaiilles and touring the grounds. He biked fast.

A year later he drove to LA and did what every retired fish guy does - he went to work for a movie special effects company. He became friends with Martin Scorsese. He travelled to Hawaii and Nola. He lived well.

When his body started to fail he raged. Death was a relief - it freed his soul. I miss Papa. "

And we miss you, Gary.

Oh my God.....this is a bit of a shock.
That was a recent thread and post.

He was reminiscing of another soul who was free......
Now, his soul is free.........

Rest in Peace.........

As my mom would say, "He now knows what the rest of us don't know"....

"or only wonder about"................

[senior citizen]

Originally Posted by skyguy79

Upon reading the last sentence, a thought immediately came into mind and here is a suggestion based on that thought. If someone was willing to plan and organize it, a memorial bench could be purchased if enough of us were willing to chip in with a reasonable donation to cover the $675 cost. Individuals could also purchase a Veterans Memorial Brick if they wanted to for $55. Here is a link to the VCDD page that gives more detail about both programs: Village Community Development Districts

I think that is a wonderful idea for those who were close to him and live in TV.

Whenever we go to Maine, there is a special "lighthouse" park where dozens of such memorial benches are placed for the enjoyment of those who go to stare at the ocean, the lighthouse, etc.........beautiful views.

Each person's particulars are "engraved" on the benches.

Great idea for The Villages......everyone needs a place to rest and ponder.

[kittygilchrist]

I like it too, Sr.
Just posted a thread for a memorial service Fri, July 5, 10-12, Odell with Beatlemaniacs. One of our single friends is setting up a paypal acct. Checks should be okay at the memorial, we'll work it out.
Kitty

[patfla06]

Such sad news about Gary. I didn't know him but remember reading his posts about how excited and happy he was to move to T.V.
God Bless Him!
Way too young and prayers for him, his family and friends.

[BritParrothead]

So sad to hear this news! Prayers for him and his family.

[In awe of TV]

I'm shocked and saddened to hear this news about Gary. I didn't know him but I looked forward to meeting him someday. His posts were always entertaining. I can't help remembering his posts of being so excited for his move to TV and then his plans for the CYV. He was taken much too soon. RIP GeeWiz.

[tommy steam]

RIP Gary.

[kittygilchrist]

the memorial for Gary is Friday July 5, 10-12 at Odell RC. Come when you can, it will be very informal so coming and going is fine.
Kitty